These days, beer is increasingly nudging wine aside as the preferred food-pairing potation. So it’s fitting that Scottsdale-based Sonoran Brewing Company is teaming up with four Valley chefs to brew small batch beers (1,000 bottles or less) made with local ingredients. The first offering comes courtesy of Chef Jeremy Pacheco of Lon’s at the Hermosa. It’s called 7 Wives Saison – a nod to Hermosa’s founder, artist Lon Megargee, who married seven times.

Pacheco says he jumped at the chance to participate. “I mentioned to [owner] Layrd [Mahler] that I had containers of durum wheat from my father’s farm in Marana and I wanted to make beer,” he says. The French farm-style brew is also flavored with fresh fennel from McClendon’s Select, fennel pollen from Atlas Bistro’s garden, and green peppercorns from Singh Farms, lending the beer floral and citrusy notes.

The remaining chefs – Eddie Matney, Eddie’s House (June); Lee Hillson, T. Cook’s (September); and James Porter, Petite Maison (December) – are working with Sonoran Brewmaster Zach Schroeder on their own seasonal brews. “Each chef came to the process with unique ideas and ingredients,” Mahler says.

Currently, 7 Wives Saison is available on tap only at Lon’s ($6) and in 22-ounce bottles at area stores, including AJ’s Fine Foods, Whole Foods and AZ Wine Company ($8.99-$10.99).